We’ve got a Manager Head Coach

Oh how we hate a silence. The psychological pressure soon becomes too much for some and they cannot help but break that silence. Thus it was with regard to Oxford United’s vacant managerial (whoops, I mean Head Coach) post. People also like to pretend, or possibly really believe, that they are in the know when they are not, and names are bandied about with gay abandon. (Can I say that?) (Yes, just checked, gay = carefree)

I checked a few sources for reliability and then decided it was best to talk myself into thinking Paul Tisdale would be “the man to take us forward”. Forget his awful record at St James Park over the last couple of years before he went stale and focus on the fact that he took them out of the Conference and then up into League One and as high as eighth. Also under Tisdale’s management Exeter avoided back to back defeats for 120 games. Pretty good, eh! And another interesting Paul Tisdale fact – he came on for the Grecians at Hillsborough in the 89th minute of the last game of the 2010-11 season.

I’d even decided to buy a cravat to wear to Roots Hall on Monday and become a supportive dandy for the day.

Then, the rumour before kick off against the Monkey Hangers was it ain’t Tisdale, it ain’t Beattie, it’s Gary Waddock. And this time the rumour became fact.

There wasn’t quite the same “who” factor we had experienced when Chris Wilder came along in 2008 but I couldn’t tell you much about GW without looking it up first. Well he smashed the Conference with Aldershot without blowing up and having to face the potential heartache of the play-offs. He took Wycombe down to League Two, back up again then down again. And much as I despise them with total passion MK Dons do have a reputation for playing decent football and that’s where he has been head coach alongside manager Karl Robinson this season.

But as ever it is best to reserve judgement, be supportive and give the guy a fair chance. To be honest I would have reserved judgement even if Alex Ferguson had popped up in our dugout. Honestly.

Given the nature of our fan base though, it only took a few seconds for the glass 99% empty merchants to declare their unhappiness.

Oxford 1 Hartlepool 0

At full time we clapped goodbye to the caretaker. I clapped and meant it. I never clap without meaning it. I’m not one of those who clap the team off after every game. Sometimes they deserve hearty applause other times as a collective body certainly not. I clapped Mickey for stepping in. He didn’t ask for the job and obviously did his best, which let’s be truthful was nowhere near good enough. And as for his post match assessment that we played well, I’ll yet again have to strongly disagree. If that’s how he saw the game I’m rather worried about what he, as a coach, is delivering on the training ground. Sorry, a loyal Oxford man and all that but come on. Anyway, as every other manager interviewed now seems to say, “We move on”. And indeed we do, into a new era.

Common theme it might be, but Hartlepool were yet another poor side to visit the Kassam. Whilst we must rejoice in a long awaited three points, to only have scraped home by one goal against such opposition, particularly as they were reduced to 10 men for the final quarter of an hour, is not cause for unrestrained celebration and optimism.

I didn’t think we played with much of a pattern – hoping the new manager will sort this out – but there was something of a bright side in that we saw the youngsters again in a winning side, injured players who have struggled since returning looked to be getting back at it and we had the first genuine sighting of Andy Whing in months.

That we kept our first clean sheet in six games was partially down to some sub standard finishing from the opposition but also down to the excellent efforts of our back line. Jake Wright at last looked match fit and his poise and confidence was back. Alongside him Sam Long really does seem to be one not only for the future but also for the now. He quite probably should not have been dropped after his previous efforts and returning senior pros should not expect to step straight back in this time. Matt Bevans struggled early on and didn’t perform to the level of previous outings but stuck with it well and got better. That leaves the versatile David Hunt who can be relied on to do a job anywhere across the back. I’ll overlook that hopelessly hashed clearance. We all make mistakes.

We’d missed Whingy and the heavens welcome him back by opening up and producing a nice sticky pitch that slowed the game down just right for our returning warrior. I’d forgotten how effective his simple one touch and then pass can be. He doesn’t give it away much and of course he gets stuck in. Next to him Josh Ruffels worked solidly too but with that partnership creativity is not the main ingredient, nor is their support of the front men. Gaps were noticeable.

This means there is much reliance on our wide men to work the chances for the two up top. Ryan Williams nearly made it to half time but had all but succumbed to injury a few minutes before he was taken off. There were glimpses of what he can do, but his decision making could have been better. In mitigation, with a general lack of movement from, and calling for the ball by, those around him, he can perhaps be excused.

In the first half Sean Rigg’s main contribution seemed to be that of aping a 17 year old Cristiano Ronaldo – all step- overs and little else. But as the game wore on he was another who found his form of old and became a man transformed. Hartlepool couldn’t handle him. He won free kicks, should probably have won a penalty too and forced the referee to award yellow cards and ultimately a red. It was Riggy who won the free kick so close to the edge of the box it was too tempting even for a team like ours with a mentality of knocking it backwards and backwards some more (yes we did that again on Friday) to ignore the opportunity to create a goal scoring chance. And look what happens when you’ve got a player like David Connolly in your team: 1-0.

Alfie, who played for just over half a game, looks well short of the Alfie of old. Someone mused that he appeared to be frightened of getting hurt and perhaps that is understandable after the nasty assault that kept him out for so long. He seemed to lack confidence in his ability and whether it was the mind or the body or both that couldn’t deliver wasn’t clear. Even when very occasionally he got past his marker he did not have anything in the tank to drive with total purpose into the space ahead. He also missed a one on one with the keeper which again demonstrated a lack of belief. It will come.

He wasn’t the only one lacking in front of goal. Beano completely miskicked what should have been a tap in to ruin our best move of the first half and he too did as poorly as Alfie when one on one. “The composure of a baby giraffe” commented my son. Can’t fault JC for effort though but effort alone does not maketh a League Two / One (take your pick) player.

Beano’s goals to minutes on the pitch ratio this season is not very impressive. I think he’s not even achieved a goal every three games and has still to make double figures in the League.

David Connolly is on about a goal every 1.6 games. He is something else. For a tiny nearly 37 year old the way he puts himself about is a lesson for any young forward watching from the stands. My brother described him as a pest and he was that alright to the Hartlepool defence. He deserved the goal. It was a proper finish. He nearly scored from the only other chance he got too when the ball almost squirmed through the keeper and over the line instead of into the side netting. At times in the first half it would have been easy for him to have despaired at what was going on around him and thrown the towel in. But he didn’t. He kept going. A true professional. But sadly he’s not the future.

What is the future? We’ll get a better idea very soon as Gary takes control. Good luck Mr Waddock and welcome to OUFC.